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Programs - Health Technology

Dental Hygiene*

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Program Head:    Elaine Smith, Wytheville Community College, 276-223-4840, wcsmite@wcc.edu

Length:               Five semesters (two years)

*Offered in cooperation with Wytheville Community College. Degree awarded by Wytheville Community College. Wytheville Community College will be the final authority on program requirements.

Purpose: The two-year program is designed to prepare the student as a skilled, technical health worker with the knowledge and skills necessary to become part of the dental health team in Southwest Virginia. At the successful completion of the two-year program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the national board and state examinations in dental hygiene leading to licensure as a registered dental hygienist. (Individuals who have a felony or misdemeanor conviction may not be allowed to take the licensing examination. This decision is made by the Virginia Board of Dentistry. Any questions regarding this issue may directed to the board at (804) 662-9906).

The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.

Occupational Objectives: A licensed dental hygienist, working under the supervision of a dentist, may work in general or specialized offices, clinics, public health agencies or teaching institutions.

Minimum Admission Requirements: (Please see the information below concerning selective admission.) Applicants must be high school graduates or the equivalent.  In order to meet the admission requirements, the applicant must have completed:

1.   A WCC application (including all high school and college transcripts or copy of GED by February 15.

2.   Satisfactory scores in English and proficiency in MTH 03 (proficiency in MTH 04 preferred) based on the COMPASS/ASSET placement tests. 

3.   High school biology or equivalent (one unit) with at least “C”.

4.   High school chemistry or equivalent (one unit) with at least “C”.

5.   A 2.0 average for high school courses or a 2.0 cumulative average for all college coursework.**

6.   Shadowing hours in selected program to be determined by program head

7.   Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills Test (TEAS).

8.   An interview/information session with the program head or designee.

**If the student has completed a minimum of 12 college credits that are included in calculating the college G.P.A. (non-developmental courses), the 2.0 high school G.P.A. requirement will be waived.

In the event there are more applicants who apply in a given year than there are slots available the college will employ selective admission. Please consult the Health Professions Admission Packet for a detailed description of the selective criteria. The packet is available in the Admissions Office.

Program Requirements: Upon admission, students must present evidence of a complete medical examination which must include a PPD skin test for tuberculosis (a follow up chest x-ray may be required). A profile of any medical condition, past or present, must be included.

The student must have a complete medical examination which must include a 2-step tuberculin skin test, a profile of medical condition, designated immunizations, and documentation of HBB and Varicella status.  A chest x-ray is required only if the tuberculin test is positive.  Costs for the medical examination and all necessary testing will be the responsibility of the student.  Students must show evidence of current CPR certification (Health Care Provider level) prior to the beginning of the fall term of each year. During the course of the program, the dental hygiene faculty will carefully observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for Dental Hygiene.

Individuals who have a felony misdemeanor conviction may not be allowed to take the licensing examination.  This decision is made by the Virginia Board of Dentistry.  Any questions regarding this issue may be directed to the Board at (804) 662-9906.

Background checks for criminal history and sex offender crimes and urine drug screens are required for admission to clinical sites.  Students with convictions and/or positive tests may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program.  Costs for criminal background checks and urine drug screens will be the responsibility of the student.

Students enrolled in the program are responsible for transportation to and from agencies utilized for clinical experiences; securing of professional liability insurance, which is available through the college at a very reasonable cost; purchase of student uniforms and accessories; and purchase of required student instrument kits. Information about projected instrument and program cost is available through the program director.

A minimum of “C” must be maintained in each Dental Hygiene program course. A minimum of “C” must also be maintained in BIO 141, 142 - Human Anatomy & Physiology and BIO-150,  Microbiology. The student must demonstrate a desire and capability of providing quality dental health care to patients.

Program Readmission: A student receiving a final grade lower than “C” in any of the dental hygiene (DNH series) BIO 141, 142 and DNH 143 courses will be ineligible to continue in the program.

Students readmitted to the program are eligible to repeat a course, however, a dental hygiene course must be repeated during the semester in which it is offered. The student may not continue with other required dental hygiene courses until the course is repeated.  In order to resume the dental hygiene course sequence a student must successfully meet the following criteria:

1.   Apply in writing to the Dental Hygiene program director at least one semester before the requested readmission date for permission to repeat in which a grade below “C” was awarded.

2.   Have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the time of application for readmission.

3.   Interview with dental hygiene faculty to discuss the following subjects:

     (a)   personal and professional factors which may have an influence on the students successful completion of the program;

     (b)   academic or professional activities in which student may have engaged since interruption of program studies.

Readmission to the Dental Hygiene program is contingent upon the availability of a clinical slot in the desired class.  Students readmitted to the program are responsible for any and all program requirements revisions made during their absence.  Notification of readmissions to the program will be made three to four weeks prior to the readmissions date.

Students desiring to transfer from another Dental Hygiene program must submit official transcripts to the Admissions office at WCC for credit evaluation. Students may be required to repeat courses or to complete evaluative testing for credits earned more than 10 years ago.

Cooperative Program: Students from service regions of other community colleges may elect to take support courses from those colleges. *All dental hygiene (DNH) courses will be taught at Wytheville Community College. Students will be totally responsible for transportation to and from the college(s) and the health agencies utilized for clinical experiences. Upon satisfactory completion of the listed program, the graduate will be awarded the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Wytheville Community College.

Contact Wytheville Community College for most current program information.

The following list is a suggested sequence in which students may plan their class schedules to ensure graduation in two years.  

Recommended Courses: The following courses are recommended by the program faculty to strengthen academic preparation: Medical Terminology, ENG-112 and SPD-110.

Emergency Medical Services Technology*

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Program Coordinator:  William Akers, Southwest Virginia Community College, 276-964-7729, bill.akers@sw.edu

Length:                        Five Semesters

*Offered in cooperation with Southwest Virginia Community College. Degree awarded by Virginia Highlands Community College.

Purpose: To produce competent entry-level Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedics (EMT-P) who can service the community with advanced life support care via the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) infrastructure. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible for National Registry testing and certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Occupational Objectives: Employment opportunities for Paramedics are available with ambulance; fire and rescue services; hospitals; local, state and federal government agencies; and humanitarian relief organizations.

Goals at the completion of the program:

At the completion of the program the graduate will be able to demonstrate:

1.  1.   The ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate the clinical information relative to his role as an entry-level paramedic;

2.   2.  Technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of an entry-level paramedic; and

3.   3.  Personal behaviors consistent with professional and employer expectations for the entry-level paramedic.

Accreditation: This program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP). 1361 Park St. Clearwater, FL  33756.  727-210-2350

Admission Requirements: Prior to starting the program the applicant must:

1.  1.  Meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by the Virginia Office of EMS as stated at: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/Files_page/Training/TrainingProgramsSummary.pdf ; and

2.  2. Meet the college’s general admission requirements.

Selection Process: To be eligible for selection to the program, interested person should complete the following process by May 10:

1.   1. Submit a college admission application;

2.   2.  Submit an application to the program (separate document) with required attachments;

3.   3.  Take the Program Entrance Exam;

4.   4.  Completion of college placement test (ASSET or COMPASS) and prescribed developmental work; and

5.   5.  Have official transcripts of previous college courses sent to the College.

At this time the first round of students will be selected. Selection will be based on previous college coursework, entrance exam and college placement reading scores. A score of 61 on the COMPASS reading test or comparable score on the ASSET, SAT, or ACT is required for first round selection. Should openings still be available, persons who apply or meet requirements after May 10, or score lower than the cut off score on the reading exam will be considered.

Program Requirements:

Physical Requirements: An EMS provider is faced with many physical and psychological challenges.  Please refer to the Office of Emergency Medical Services web site for a more detailed functional job description.  http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/oems/Training/ResourceCD/Content/TPAM/Appendix/ALS%20Student%20Handouts.pdf  

Academic Requirements: Students must make a “C” or better in all program core courses.  Any student receiving a grade less than “C” will be placed on programmatic academic probation.  That course shall be remediated once, with a written contract drafted containing the requirements of the remediation.  Remediated courses must be completed with a final grade of “C” or better.  Dismissal from the program shall result if the student does not meet the requirements of the contract.

Clinical and Behavioral Requirements: Selected and supervised student experience is required by the program and will be accomplished at selected, regional health care facilities. The student is responsible for transportation to these facilities, as well as to any scheduled field trips. Program preceptors will observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for the profession. If the student does not exhibit those documented behaviors required of the EMS professional, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program.

Other Requirements: Applicants accepted to the program are required to submit a health certificate signed by a licensed physician or RNP and should include documentation of measles, mumps, Rubella (MMR) and chicken pox exposure or inoculations; documentation of Hepatitis B inoculation; tuberculosis testing; and overall general health of the applicant. This physical exam should be completed within six months prior to admission to the program.

The purchase of items such as uniforms, liability insurance and other accessories is the financial responsibility of the individual student. Students who elect to take support courses recommended by the Program Director prior to formal acceptance into the program will find this activity to be advantageous in subsequent course scheduling.